LOVED

Chapter 2 Aria

Aria Montgomery is a 17 year old student who is presently enrolled at Rosewood High. Outwardly, she appears to have "it" all; great friends, nice home and car, not to mention, fabulous clothes. Aria exudes grace and her beauty is that of old Hollywood glamour. However, underneath her exterior lies pessimism and low self esteem. She is very competitive and achieves nothing less than the best. Each step towards her future has been meticulously planned and reaching her goals scholastically is her only way out of this small town. Aria lives and breathes the fact that there is no room for mistakes. Her idea of love is somewhat mystical and completely out of reach, or so she thinks.

First day of senior year

Aria's POV

Today is no ordinary day but it begins like any other; a song, a run, and a shower. It is 6 a.m. when Aria hears the all too familiar sound of her favorite song. The lyrics are her "anthem." Every word and cord correlates with her innermost thoughts, dreams, and even her fears. It's her perfect way to start each day.

After her morning workout, Aria steps into the shower and ever so softly begins to hum and then sing, "I'm that girl you think that's got it figured out. But I walk away with a head full of self doubt. The cruelest words about me come from my own mouth, la da de." She hums through a few more verses and then, all of the sudden, bellows, "I'm scared and I'm brave or somewhere in between the two. I'm beautifully strong and tragically confused. Yeah I'm that girl, just like you."

Suddenly, Aria's demeanor intensifies and her pace quickens. She begins to remind herself of the significance of today's date, referencing it as, "the first day of the rest of my life." She realizes this milestone to be monumental and deservingly so, as it is her only means of salvation. She begins getting dressed after deciding to wear her red-plaid, box pleat skirt with a figure hugging sweater. For the final touch, she also adds a pair of Prima-tall, tightly fitted, black boots to her ensemble, giving height to her 5 feet, 2 inch frame. Before leaving, she pulls her hair into a ponytail, grabs her bag, and then dashes out the door.

After a brief commute, Aria finds her way to first period. Before entering the classroom, she overhears two female students whispering, "I heard the new English teacher is incredibly hot" with the other student adding, "yeah....young and hot!" The two continue to gossip as they take their seat. Amid the chaos, Aria remains diligent and concerns herself only with the daily tasks that lie ahead. Once settled, Aria reaches into her bag and pulls out a copy of To Kill A Mocking Bird. She opens the book and begins reading where she previously left off. In the very moment she looks down, Rosewood High's newest faculty member, Mr. Fitz, enters the room. Undeterred, she reads on without giving a moments pause, as Mr. Fitz addresses his class with an introduction.

While deep in thought Aria loses her concentration in the most subtle of ways. There is no rhyme or reason, just unfamiliarity. Although fleeting, the moment is like no other and introduces the most sensational of feelings. Her entire body relaxes, prompting one deep breath after another. She is lulled into a peaceful disposition and unknowingly sways to the tune of an unrecognizable sound, a voice as if a ballad. Lyrical thoughts form in leu of expression: "Tell me all of your stories, and don't leave nothin out cause I ain't in a hurry. Every little thing you say, got a real nice ring to it, the way it rolls off your lips, oh and when...."

Aria is still mesmerized in thought when she hears her name being called. She hesitates to answer as she realizes this to be the source her wanting. Her breathing becomes erratic and she notices the slight remnant of a handprint on her desk. Finally, she takes one last deep breath and looks up. The view is magnificent! A man, nearly six feet in stature, with dark, wavy hair and navy-blue eyes, stands before her. Aria feels a wave of electricity enter her body when he looks upon her and their eyes meet. Neither can look away. Suddenly, Aria realizes that, somehow, someway, her life will never be the same.